First of all, let me explain what LWUIT is and what it means for mobile java developers.
What’s LWUIT?
According to its creators, “LWUIT is a UI library that is bundled together with applications and helps content developers in creating compelling and consistent Java ME applications. LWUIT supports visual components and other UI goodies such as theming, transitions, animation and more”.
Why is LWUIT important for mobile java developers?
JME has got a very limited set of user interface controls. Moreover, the results are always very poor. If you want something nice you have to use low level APIs in order to do so, which is very frustrating and costly. LWUIT adopts a SWING like approach, with better results. This way, mobile java developers can obtain much better user interfaces for their applications.
There are other similar technologies like J2ME Polish with similar approaches, with the difference of SUN being sponsor of LWUIT.
Now LWUIT has open sourced its source code under a GPLv2 with Classpath Exception license, allowing commercial developments on top of this API. Now, you’ll be able to find out how this API works internally and improve it at your convenience. Don’t forget to publish your code modifications (you have to do it since the license is GPLv2).
Very Good news.
Link LWUIT Home Page
